Cycling Holidays - High Trails of Macedonia

High Trails of Macedonia

Landlocked and sandwiched between Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece, Macedonia is a mountainous country with extensive wilderness areas that make it a paradise for mountain bikers. Our itinerary takes us on a tour of the best riding, transferring between locations, staying in family-run hotels and with time for sightseeing in Tetova, Ohrid (a UNESCO Heritage Site) and Bitola, as well as a spot of wine-tasting.

Predominantly off-road riding on tracks and trails, our explorations take us to the Shar Planina Mountains, the stunning Mavrovo and Galicica national parks, Golemo Ezero (Big Lake), Mariovo and into the Vodno Mountains above Skopje. With a selection of excellent day-rides, far-reaching views and a wealth of ancient ruins and cultural interest, this Macedonian adventure has something for everyone.

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Skopje. A single transfer from Skopje Airport is provided.

We will meet at the group accommodation in Popova Shapka. Our services begin with a single timed group transfer from Skopje Airport to the group hotel. This transfer is usually mid afternoon. There will be a group briefing over dinner with the guide.

Accommodation Hotel

Day 2: A superb day of off-road cycling in the Shar Planina Mountains. Drive to Bistra.

Today's great introductory ride takes us into the mountains of Shar Planina. Following non-technical off-road tracks and close to the border with Kosovo, we cycle into the untamed Leshnica Valley. Here, we discover a hidden paradise and have astonishing views of one of Europe’s secret mountain regions. On our way back to the road, we ride by way of Ceripashina, then continue to the city of Tetovo. Here we will visit one of the most beautiful mosques in the Balkans and take a break for Turkish coffee, before driving to our hotel in Bistra.

Accommodation Hotel

Ascent 1000m / Descent 1000m

Distance 35km

Day 3: Cycle high grassy trails and gravel roads through the Mavrovo National Park. Return to Bistra.

After our introduction to Macedonian mountain biking yesterday we are now in good shape to take on a few further challenges. Today we cycle the first of two days through the Mavrovo National Park. Riding an ever changing combination of tar and compact gravel roads leads us through a fairytale scene of grassy meadows and snowy peaks. Today's route follows the Radika River and the finishing point today will be decided on the day depending on the conditions. We end the day with a short transfer back to our charming Bistra hotel, where we refuel with traditional Macedonian cuisine.

Biking into the Bistra Mountains takes us alongside the emerald green Mavrovo Lake, with visits to the villages of Nikiforovo and Leunovo. We continue off-road to Galicnik, whilst riding through green pastures dotted with ancient sheepfolds. Galicnik is one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Macedonia, with houses built in an old traditional Macedonian style. A long downhill through forest then leads to the roadhead village of Tresonche, where the way of life has changed remarkably little since the 19th century. Here, we are picked up and transferred to our hotel accommodation in Ohrid.

Accommodation Hotel

Ascent 1000m / Descent 1650m

Distance 70km

Day 5: Challenging ascent across the slopes of Mt Jablanica. Descend to Lake Ohrid. Afternoon at leisure.

After breakfast we take a short transfer to the lower slopes of Mt Jablanica. Straddling the border with Albania, Jablanica is one of the few places where the Balkan Lynx can be spotted. Starting with a dirt road climb our route takes us close to the Albanian border and through traditional Macedonian mountain life. From our highpoint, we follow the border on a superb 14km descent directly to Lake Ohrid. Continuing to cycle around Lake Ohrid we stop at a local fish restaurant for a traditional lunch. Once back in Ohrid town, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the historic streets and sights of this UNESCO town.

Accommodation Hotel

Ascent 700m / Descent 1100m

Distance 45km

Day 6: Cycle the rugged mountains trails of Galicica National Park. Transfer to Skopje.

Described as an open air botanical gardens, the Galicica National Park is our objective today. Riding from Velestovo (on the outskirts of Ohrid), we ascend gradually into a scenic mountain region with panoramic views of the Ohrid and Prespa lakes. There will be lots of opportunities for photo stops. Then, as we begin our descent, we will enjoy a mix of off-road and backroad biking with some singletrack. From Eleshec, we drive to the picturesque fishing village of Trpejca for lunch, then transfer to Skopje.

Accommodation Hotel

Ascent 850m / Descent 1250m

Distance 40km

Day 7: A day of singletrack riding on Vodno Mountain followed by afternoon sightseeing in Skopje.

We have a final morning of riding in the Skopje area and this includes the option of some cable-car assisted singletrack biking on Vodno Mountain. There is then a short ride on a quiet road to Matka Canyon, one of the most famous outdoor destinations in the Skopje region – this is a magnificent canyon with a man-made lake, with the option of a boat trip to a cave. Here, too, we visit the 14th century monastery of St Andreja (built by the son of the famous medieval king, Volkashin). We take lunch, before heading back to Skopje, where we do some sightseeing in the old bazaar, at Skopje Fortress and at the ‘Stone Bridge’. We also see some monuments from the ‘Skopje 2014’ Project. We spend our final night at our Skopje hotel.

Accommodation Hotel

Ascent 800m / Descent 1000m

Distance 40km

Day 8: Departure day. A single transfer to Skopje Airport is provided.

Our services end with a very early group transfer from the hotel to Skopje Airport.

Travel Information

Clients should join this trip at Skopje Airport. A single timed group transfer to first night's hotel in Popova Shapka is provided on Day 1 of the trip itinerary. This transfer will depart from Skopje Airport mid afternoon. At the end of the trip itinerary (Day 8) there will be a single, very early transfer back to Skopje Airport. Clients arriving/departing on flights that do not coincide with the times for these transfers should make their own transfer arrangement. Contact details and an emergency number will be provided.

General, visa, passport and health information.

For passport and visa information, please check the relevant section on this page: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports. General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Click here for the latest travel advice for Macedonia, and click here for useful ‘know before you go’ information also from the FCO. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.

IMPORTANT WARNING

This is ADVENTURE travel, and many of the holiday destinations are in remote areas, within under-developed countries, where events are less predictable than is usually the case in, for example, Western Europe or North America. The unexpected is the norm in these areas and, despite painstaking planning and organisation, these adventure holidays can never be taken for granted like regular holidays. Many of the places visited do not have the same quality of emergency health and safety services that we are used to in the developed world. Internal flights can be cancelled, road transport is generally uncomfortable and unreliable, and hotels often do not approach the standards of the West.

IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THIS, YOU SHOULD NOT TRAVEL ON THESE HOLIDAYS

This unpredictability also means that the itineraries should be seen as statements of intent, rather than as contractual obligations. A variety of factors, including weather, transport difficulties and political instability, might require changes in any itinerary. The trip leader will make any changes that are necessary, after consultation with the group. Only rarely will such changes be significant, and every reasonable effort will be made to minimise the effects of the enforced changes. No liability can be accepted for the results of changes or delays, irrespective of how they are caused.

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in the activities included as part of your holiday.

Bike Rental

It is possible to hire bikes for this holiday. Our local agent has access to Corratec X-Vert Halcon hardtail mountain bikes in all sizes. These have Shimano components, RST Capa 80mm travel forks and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. The bikes are equipped with flat pedals. If you prefer to use spd or clip-in pedals, you will need to bring these with you, along with your regular cycling shoes and cleats. Another item which you might choose to take with you on the holiday is your saddle. The hire bikes have standard saddles and anyone requiring more comfort, or a women-specific saddle, should consider taking their own. Helmets are included in the hire cost, although you might choose to take your own. The cost of bike hire for the duration of the holiday is 160 euros (March 2017 subject to change). You will make this payment directly to the local group leader in euros when the bike is delivered to you. This payment does not cover you if you lose the bike or damage it beyond 'fair wear and tear'. You will need to provide a photocopy of your passport information pages and your credit card details, as security against loss of or damage to the bike. If you want to hire a bike, please contact the Whereabouts office and we can reserve one on your behalf. We must stress that your hire contract will be with the local hire company and that Whereabouts Holidays cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from bike hire.

If you are taking your own mountain bike, it should be either a ‘hardtail’ with front suspension or a lightweight full suspension bike. It should have a good range of gears and should be fitted with moderately knobbly cross-country tyres which work well on the range of surfaces.

Since you are depending on your bike to transport you throughout your holiday, across at times demanding terrain, it’s important to ensure it is in good working order. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bicycle dealer to service it for you.

Accommodation

During this holiday there will be 7 nights in simple and comfortable hotel and lodge accommodation in several different towns. All accommodation is based on twin sharing, or occasionally triple sharing. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired with another solo traveller of the same sex.